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Bishop’s Michael’s Letter

23 October, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Welcome to this edition of the Diocesan e-newsletter.

I very much enjoyed my holiday break during September and to have the chance to relax for a little bit before we get into the busyness of the end of the year.

On returning I went straight to Mackay to join the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus as they celebrated 70 years of arriving in our Diocese.  It was lovely to be with the Sisters and the residents of the Francis of Assisi Nursing Home and members of the community to give thanks for the contribution that the Sisters have made to the Mackay community and our Diocese over the last 70 years.  They continue to run the nursing home for 130 residents with the Sisters they have living and working there in conjunction with staff.

On the same weekend in Mackay I joined with CatholicCare and community members to celebrate 50 years of CatholicCare and their support within our Diocese.  CatholicCare (formerly CentacareCQ) is the longest running, not-for-profit local social services organisation in Central Queensland, providing professional community services for over 50 years. With over 400 staff and many dedicated volunteers, they are a large, vibrant and well-respected community organisation.  It is an incredible achievement and was started by Sr Anne-Marie Kinnane rsm and Fr Frank Gilbert.  CatholicCare is the Church in action for many people, providing support and care and companionship.  Similar celebrations will be held in Bundaberg and finally Rockhampton to mark this special occasion.

I was able to join the Vietnamese Community in Rockhampton for the celebration of Mass in Vietnamese for them.  Fr Bang Nguyen svd from the Central West coordinated and translated.  I also spent some social time with the community after the Mass over a shared meal.

We had two visiting priests, Fr Sebastian and Fr Sebastin, from the CMI order Mysore Province, India come to visit the Diocese for two weeks recently.  This is the same order that Fathers Sijo and Shaiju come from.  The visiting priests are principals in schools in India and came to observe and learn more about how we provide Catholic education in our region, and our systems and processes here in Australia.  They very much enjoyed their time here.  I am appreciative to Leesa Jeffcoat for assisting with the program and assisting the priests during their welcomed visit to our Diocese.  My thanks also to Director, Michael McCusker, and all those in Catholic Education who looked after the priests while visiting.

The clergy gathered in Rockhampton for their final formation for the year.  These opportunities are not only a chance for our priests to learn and develop their skills, but it’s also important for them to be able to gather as brothers and support each other in their ministry.  I thank you for allowing the opportunity for this to happen for our priests as we all try to support them as best we can.

I am almost finished parish visitations and Confirmations for the year having visited the Valleys and Peak Downs regions during October.  I thank Father Simeon in the Valleys and Father Shaiju in the Peak Downs for coordinating these visits.  I especially thank all those who prepared our young people to receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion and the work that went into the celebrations.  You support and your example and enthusiasm for our young people is very much appreciated.  I will finish with my parish visitation to Blackwater and Duaringa.

At the start of November I will be heading to Sydney for the ACBC Plenary Meetings.

With best wishes.